What are the spelling patterns? Word Pattern Stage 1: Letter Sounds & Word Families Grades K-1, Ages 5-7 In this beginning stage of spelling, children “learn their ABCs” by memorizing the letters in the alphabet, the sounds associated with each letter, and how to match the letters with the sounds they make. They also begin to learn about word families, which are groups of words with a common spelling pattern. Word families are sometimes called phonograms or rhymes and can help children learn to spell quickly because of their predictable word patterns. The common endings include the vowel ..read more

What are the strategies that work for struggling readers? Good Readers: Whole Language is a Coping Mechanism, it is NOT a Strategy Strategies that Don't Work: Look at the Picture Well, if we are looking at the picture, how is that actually teaching reading? It is actually teaching guessing based on the picture. That isn’t reading and it certainly is not decoding.  Slide through the Whole Word Using a tracking device doesn't teach reading. It is an accommodation, not a strategy.  Skip the Words and Reread This is reading on and then filling in the blank with what you think might f ..read more

What are the characteristics of independent learners? Not all students are independent learners. Some students naturally become independent learners based on life circumstances and learning style. They just take the bull by the horns. It's also true dependency on instruction is tied closely to student age and maturity. The older the student, the more independent they tend to be independent learners. Students who depend on teachers for instruction can begin growing independent learning traits no matter their age. Encouraged growth of these characteristics can foster self-reliance and respons ..read more

Teaching Students Strategies is the Best Way to Teach Any Skill - Especially Math! Reasons Why Math Strategies Are Better Than Drill and Simple Repetition There is neurobiological evidence that supports why strategies may be a superior route for special learners especially those with dyslexia. Students learn math best when they approach the subject as something they enjoy. Speed pressure, timed testing and blind memorization pose a risk to knowledge attainment and self-esteem. The expectation of rote memorization continues in classrooms and households across the United States, and it is harm ..read more

How Do I Teach My Child to Write? If your child can’t write, no matter what age – prepare yourself for the long haul because so much of schooling and even many aspects of work can require writing.   When writing is difficult for students especially those with a learning difference like dyslexia, it may be that they are having difficulty converting feelings and images to words, trouble retrieving words, or putting them in the correct order, then writing them down with correct spelling and grammar. A significant proportion of students with dyslexia will also have dyspraxia, so have troubl ..read more

3 Ways to Help Improve Your Child's Memory Dr. Mel Levine believes, “More memory is needed for school success than is required in virtually any career.” That’s why it is important to strengthen your child’s memory skills in the early years to build a strong foundation for the future. For academic success, children need three kinds of memory: short-term memory to follow directions, working memory to manipulate information, & long-term memory to retrieve information learned in the past. Because memory is fundamental to all higher-order thinking, you can’t think, reason, hypothesize, solve ..read more

2 Ways to Get Your Child to Talk Find Ways to Practice Communication and Support Language Growth As a parent, you want to be sure and give opportunities for your child to not only show their present level of communication skill, but you also want them to grow in that ability. If they are struggling, good communication comes with time and many opportunities to practice talking. They can talk about the things that interest them, but don't forget to talk to them and share your stories. You can talk about what you did or what you saw together. Play games together. Talk about what interests them ..read more

3 Ways to Give Your Child the Education They Deserve Many parents are not trained to critique their child's teacher or education. Sometimes it isn't obvious that their child isn't getting the top-rated education that they  deserve. My advice: Hire an expert tutor - A certified teacher & practice, practice, practice. Whether your child is showing a math deficit, needs some preparatory tutoring for an upcoming exam, or is gifted and needs more challenging coursework beyond his grade level, Cheapaba.com has got you covered! We have a variety of tutors and tutoring services that speci ..read more

5 Ways to Stop Learning Loss What is Learning Loss? Well to start - Learning loss isn't actually the loss of things the child has already learned. In fact, learning loss deals with the lack of knowledge being gained -the absence of new skills being learned. N ew skills are learned, and they build on the foundation of knowledge and skills that the child has previously acquired. The summer months when children are not typically in school can lead to summer learning loss. What can parents do to combat learning loss? Membership On Educational Websites like Mrnussbaum.com, Khan Academy, Stma ..read more

Tips on Teaching Sight Words & High Frequency Words Sight words like many other things are best learned in short bursts. Try 3, 5-10 minute sessions each day. There are so many fun activities & games you can play with high frequency words and sight words. You can try each and determine which games work best for your child.  Keep a Journal Make a list of approximately 10 known words and 3-5 unknown words.  For each word game you play, the words should be taken from the list. Rotate the known words from the list for two reasons:  To keep practice fresh and t o consolidat ..read more